Genrobotics, a Kerala-based startup will be providing the state with its first robotic sewer cleaner.

Founded in 2015, the robotics startup has a focus toward exoskeletons and robotic system with human controls, Economic Times reported. After performing a field study to find alternatives to manual scavenging, Genrobotics developed ‘Bandicoot,’ their sewer-cleaning robot.

Bandicoot, powered by pneumatics, comes with four limbs, can shovel the bottom of a manhole and transfer it up via a bucket system and has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

According to a statement, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to transfer the technology and products including the sewer-cleaning robots, was signed. The Kerala Water Innovation Zone under the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) and the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) both signed the MoU.

The Kerala Startup Mission, organized and launched by Kerala’s state government, supports and promotes entrepreneurship, startups and incubation. The project to develop a robotic manhole cleaner was funded by KSUM. KWA is also researching the area.

According to the statement, Bandicoot will begin working in March at the Attukal Pongala festival in Thiruvananthapuram. Genrobotics then plans to release and market Bandicoot, approximately in the next six months.

People at the signing of the MoU, in the office of the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan besides the CM himself include Minister for Water Resources Mathew T Thomas, IT Secretary M Sivasankar, KSUM CEO Saji Gopinath, Tom Jose, the additional Chief Secretary of Water Resources, KWA officials and representatives from Genrobotics.

The company could expand its product to a national level, having already been contacted by states including Tamil Nadu.

(Picture courtesy: http://www.dnaindia.com/)